Torbreck, Les Amis Grenache (2009)

Barossa Valley (Seppeltsfield), South Australia
Screwcap, 15.2%, non organic, RRP $210
http://www.torbreck.com/


Dark ruby in colour. The nose deceptively restrained. With a soft entrance, the depth of fruit intensity and complexity soon emerged. Silky tannins danced with juicy fruit and delicate French oak. The depth of flavour was surprising. Sourced from a single vineyard planted in 1901. This was a straight Grenache that almost swept me off my feet... and then I saw the price and started gasping for air - 94.

P.s. I wonder how Torbreck (and other Australian wineries) are coping with the high Australian dollar? Will they be able to sustain such high asking prices for some of their wines in the context of (what must be) a crippled American market? I concede this is a very nice wine, but with an extraordinary price tag.  

Jacob's Creek, Chardonnay (2010)

Australia
13%, screwcap, non organic, $10
www.jacobscreek.com

With a fruit salad nose, this quaffer was startling (in a value for money sort of way - particularly when you pick it up for $7 a bottle). There were tropical notes to a white peach palate, with a hint of oak. It appears that these thoughts were corroborated by my wife, who thought it was 'noice'. Great value - 89.

Penfolds, Koonunga Hill Shiraz (2009)

South Australia
13.5%, screwcap, non organic, around $14
http://www.penfolds.com.au/

The medium bodied palate was bursting with a mixture of plums, red berries and spice. The tannins were surprisingly soft. I later learnt that the bottle had been opened the day before. Given the impressive result, I formed the view that this wine will benefit from short to medium term cellaring. This wine is great value - 91.  

Clonakilla, Hilltops Shiraz (2010)

Hilltops, NSW
14%, screwcap, non organic, $25
http://www.clonakilla.com.au/

This vintage of Clonakilla's Hilltops Shiraz continues the trend of delivering high quality wine at a very reasonable price (a trend that began with its flagship Shiraz Viognier, which could easily command a three figure price tag given the massive demand). The palate showed vibrant fuit intensity with blackcurrants and spice. It had impressive balance and nice length. Another great example of cool climate shiraz crafted by Tim Kirk. I really liked this wine - 94.

The Granite Belt, QLD

Last year I had the opportunity to visit the Granite Belt in QLD. I visited a few of the cellar doors, which are steadily increasing in number in this emerging wine district. The Granite Belt is a great destination for a weekend away due to its sensational National Parks, range of cellar doors, impressive restaurants and proximity to the Gold Coast and Brisbane. The following winerys were two highlights.

Ballandean Estate
www.ballandeanestate.com

This family owned vineyard and winery had some fine offerings. They are producing some good wine and last year experienced some significant show success with their Generation 3 Shiraz. 

Attached to the cellar door is the Barrel Room Cafe, where chefs Matt and Bobbi Wells are doing some amazing things. The food was so good we went back the following day. Given the opportunity, I would have tried to sample the whole menu, but alas, we had to move on.

Family Reserve Chardonnay (2008) RRP $22, 93.
Shiraz Viognier (2006) RRP $17, 91.
Estate Shiraz (2005) RRP $17, a shy nose with a silky tannins on the palate and good length - 93.
Cabernet Sauvignon (2006) RRP $17, 93.
Family Reserve Shiraz (2006) RRP $25, 92.

Golden Grove
www.goldengroveestate.com.au

This was my pick of the cellar doors in this region. Their winemaker, Ray Costanzo, is doing some good things, particularly with alternative varieties. The wines consistently showed great intensity of flavour and balance.

Barbera (2008) RRP $20, 94.
Tempranillo (2008) RRP $22, 93-94.
Malbec (2008) RRP $28, 93-94.
Durif (2008) RRP $28, 93.
Mediteranean Red blend of tempranillo, durif and barberra (2009) RRP $18, very good value - 94
Shiraz (2007) RRP $35, 95.

Gemtree, Uncut Shiraz (2006)

McLaren Vale, South Australia
14.5%, screwcap, biodynamic, around $23
http://www.gemtreevineyards.com.au/

Deeply scented with a delightful nose of red berries, mulberries and some earthy notes. Soft on the entrance. All the promise of the bouquet is realised on the palate. Powerful fruit flows on and on and on. A wine with incredible balance - 95.

Two Hands, Angel's Share Shiraz (2007)

McLaren Vale, SA
15.5%, screwcap, non organic, RRP $27
www.twohandswines.com

Deep purple. This wine smelt of blackberries, with a sprinkling of forest floor and roasted coffee. The palate was intense with very powerful fruit flavours, supported by pleasant oak, grippy tannins and a nice acid finish. The power of the fruit in this wine was incredible and it will benefit from further cellaring - 95.

Wolf Blass, Gold Label Shiraz (2006)

Barossa Valley, South Australia
15.5%, screwcap, non organic, RRP $25
www.wolfblass.com.au

Deep purple. A bouquet of berries, currants and sweet oak. The bouquet was played out on the palate, which was packed full with juicy fruit with smoky oak in support. I could detect very ripe (some might say over ripe) fruit in the mix (hence the very high alcohol). I thought that the vibrancy and freshness of that fruit was adequate and balanced with the tannins and a nice acid finish. That said, I have had other bottles of this wine that didn't quite pull it off. Judged on this bottle alone - 94, but on average - 92.